Noble Sale 109 Preview

Noble Numismatics Sale 109 which takes place at the Dixson Room of the State Library on Tuesday 28th, Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th July 2015 features several significant collections of coins, tokens, banknotes and medals formed by collectors now deceased or retiring from the pursuit. 

The outstanding individual lot is the New South Wales holey dollar believed to be sent home to Scotland by Governor Macquarie as an excellent example of the unique original coinage he had created. The coin was acquired in 1974 by Ken Wilson and knowing its historical importance, was retained by him along with a set of NSW dumps for the benefit of his family. This coin, estimated at $350,000, is anticipated to establish a new record price for a holey dollar at public auction by Noble Numismatics.

Other individual lots that should be featured include a beautifully dark toned pattern florin 1937 with the obverse tooled out at the Royal Mint owing to the abdication of King Edward VIII. This outstanding example was presented to the legendary collector Gilbert Heyde by H.G. Stride of the Royal Mint when Heyde visited the Mint in the early 1950s. The coin carries an estimate of $100,000. Another featured lot is the Elizabeth II Royal Mint uniface pattern crown size silver dollar 1966. It is estimated at $30,000 and is the only example known in private hands (there is at least one similar example in the National Collection in Canberra). It was acquired by the owner at Spink Auctions (Australia) Sale no.24 in March 1988 along with the aforementioned florin.

A proof pattern Melbourne Mint half sovereign of 1891M is another significant rarity and is now perhaps one of only two available in private hands. It was originally included in the J.G. Murdoch Collection sold by Sothebys in 1903 in London and has an estimate of $60,000. It is in gem FDC condition. The second highest estimate goes to an outstanding NSW holey dollar (Mira-Noble 1808/3, Lima MInt) estimated to realise $180,000. It was acquired by the owner from Sale 79 in July 2005 at over $130,000. Originally the coin was one of the finest owned by Mr. Robson of Sydney in the 1880s. Robson was one of the first collectors of holey dollars and was supplier to David Scott Mitchell of Mitchell Library fame.

In banknotes the most valuable is the ten shillings of New Zealand with serial Z 000001 presented to A.D.Park on the day of issue 1st August 1934. Previously seen in the Eric Moore Collection in Noble Numismatics Sale 44 (March 1994) and obtained by the owner at the Gary Lavin Collection Sale 69 (March 2002) for more than $50,000, it now carries an estimate of $75,000. For the first time in history the two number one notes of New Zealand are in the one auction with the inclusion of the one pound presented to the Hon G. Coates, former Prime Minister. Such a unique offering may never be repeated.

Indivdual collections include the Greek, Roman and Byzantine coins in gold, silver and bronze formed by Derek John Foster of "Blacktown Auctions" (early 1960's) and Fosters Coin Varieties fame. Derek, now 85, is parting with his coins knowing others will enjoy them as much as he has. A further classical collection is that formed by Clive Shute and his father which includes many fine English hammered silver issues and a few gold plus a series of Greek silver. Clive purchased many of his coins from UK dealers in the early 1970s including B.A. Seaby Ltd, C.J. Martin Ltd and Lloyd Bennett. There are further selections of ancients and British from the J.M. Day (of Natal) Collection. 

The lifelong collection of African coins, tokens and medals formed by M. (Mick). Andrews is housed in sixteen bulky albums, the better items being individually listed and illustrated while the balances are left intact in the albums to preserve  the integrity of the Collection. The banknotes of South Africa relate mostly to the Boer War. The medals include examples of Native peace medals for Natal and Kenya.

Australian Commonwealth coinage is well represented with three 1930 pennies and several 1923 halfpennies. One collector has included his outstanding threepences . 

Two Collectors have supplied either token rarities  or outstanding condition tokens. Many are from the renowned Baldwin, Utrecht and Strathburn Collections (Sales on 3 Nov 1979, 8 April 1986 and 29 July 1989). Of note are attractive specimens of the Mason and Culley penny, the A. Nicholas "Liverpool Arms" penny, the Edward De Carle  Lord Raglan pattern penny, the Tea Stores four lines penny 1852, the James Campbell threepence, the J.C.Thornthwaite threepence 1854 with "silver" over and "token" under numeral three reverse (ex Heyde Collection) and a Macintosh and Degraves Tasmania shilling, 1823. These generally are estimated in the $12,000 to $20,000 range with the Raglan penny at $35,000 (ex Heyde Collection). In all there are approximately 150 significant tokens. Commonwealth of Australia World War II Internment Camp tokens are represented with three examples of each from one collector.

Australian Commonwealth proofs include  1934 florin, shilling and threepence, 1937 crown, 1955-1963 Melbourne and Perth issues virtually complete, with one collection in PCGS slabs. One collector has compiled a good collection of Proclamation coins in gold, silver and copper. Australian gold includes a choice uncirculated example of a very rare 1861/0 overdate Sydney Mint sovereign estimated at $15,000.

British and World Coins in gold, silver and copper are well represented. Of note are a choice gold Noble of Henry VI, a two guineas of Queen Anne 1711, Commonwealth halfcrown and shilling 1658, George II crown 1750 in toned nearly uncirculated condition and a George V 1934 wreath crown. And in World, Czechoslovakia two ducats 1938, one and five ducatu 1933, China Yuan Shih Kai gold ten dollars, Indian mohurs 1841, 1862 and proof five rupees 1879, Russia, five roubles 1778 and silver one and half roubles 1834.

Banknotes include specimen issues from 1966, 1974, 1988 and one millon serial number notes highlighted by the five dollars Coombs/Randall estimated at $25,000. A consecutive pair of Riddle/Sheehan ten pounds 1934 should attract attention with the estimate at $20,000. A highlight in New Zealand notes is a specimen Lefeaux fifty pounds estimated at $10,000.

Military medals, orders and decorations feature the collection formed by the late Trevor Bushell Taylor (died in the late 1960s) comprising hundreds of British campaign medals from Peninsular Wars onward including many military medals as singles or in groups.

An Australian rarity is the George Medal group of ten to WO2 Raymond Thomas McCarthy for saving the life of a trainee from a live grenade at the Jungle Training Centre, Canungra in 1969. McCarthy served in Malaya in 1965 and Vietnam in 1970-71. The group, with paperwork and ephemera, is being sold on behalf of his widow.

An interesting group is that to an official war correspondent and photographer, Norman Edson Brown, with a letter from General Douglas Macarthur recognising his meritorious service with the forces of his command. 

There is also a rare aviation award on offer, The Evening News Cup, a miniature gold trophy instituted in 1920 to be awarded to the winners in the Aerial Derby conducted by the NSW Section of the Australian Aero Club, one of only a few issued before it was discontinued in 1924.

For further infomation about this important sale contact the Sydney Office on 02 92234578 or the Melbourne Office on 03 96000244 or visit www.noble.com.au.